Tony Stewart
INDIANAPOLIS — Tony Stewart and his wife Leah Pruett will compete in this weekend’s 69th Annual Dodge Power Brokers NHRA U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park.
The world’s biggest drag race also serves as Matt Hagan’s and Pruett’s sponsor’s race, putting an even bigger emphasis on the U.S. Nationals. The Big Go has a chance to be legendary for Hagan in the Funny Car ranks and Pruett in Top Fuel, as well as for Stewart, who also will be racing Top Alcohol Dragster in the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series ranks.
Pruett has enjoyed a little Indy success, but is looking for her Top Fuel breakthrough U.S. Nationals. She won in Factory Stock Showdown five years ago, and a Top Fuel victory in her 11,000-horsepower Dodge Direct Connection dragster would be big for Pruett.
After a runner-up in Brainerd, Pruett has momentum and currently is fifth in points in a loaded field that includes points leader Justin Ashley, defending event winner Antron Brown and reigning world champ Brittany Force. Pruett, however, can add another major milestone in her career with a win at Indy.
“Getting a Top Fuel win at Indy would mean completion,” Pruett told NHRA communications. “People ask what my favorite memory is from the U.S. Nationals, and undoubtedly, it is winning Factory Stock (in 2018). I’ve gotten close in Top Fuel (runner-up in 2020), so I still don’t know what it feels like to win that race in the Top Fuel car. I can’t say what it’ll mean to win that race until it happens, and it probably will be an entire new feeling of euphoria that I’ve never felt before.”
Greg Anderson (Pro Stock), and Matt Smith (Pro Stock Motorcycle) also won the 2022 U.S. Nationals.
Off the track, there’s plenty for fans to enjoy, including the Nitro Alley Stage, which creates a festive atmosphere at the Dodge Power Brokers NHRA U.S. Nationals. Autograph sessions will take place throughout the event and fans can participate in the SealMaster Track Walk during pre-race ceremonies on championship Monday. As always, all fans get a pit pass to the most powerful and sensory-filled attraction in motorsports.
NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature one round at 5:45 p.m. Friday, two rounds at 2:15 and 5:45 p.m. Saturday and the final two rounds at 12:15 and 3:45 p.m. Sunday. Final eliminations are scheduled for 10 a.m. Monday. The Pep Boys NHRA Funny Car All-Star Callout begins at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, with the semifinals at 3:20 p.m. and the finals at 5:15 p.m.
The event also features the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, FuelTech NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by Type A Motorsports and Flexjet NHRA Factory Stock Showdown. Plus, fans can enjoy a host of specialty events, including the Pep Boys NHRA Funny Car All-Star Callout, the Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge, the Dodge HEMI Challenge, the Rooftec NHRA Competition Eliminator Cash Clash and more.
Television coverage starts on FS1 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sunday, and then coverage of the Callout on FOX from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Qualifying action will continue from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Sunday on FS1. On Monday, coverage from eliminations will begin at Noon on FS1 and continue from 2 to 5 p.m. on FOX.
To purchase tickets, fans can visit NHRA.com/tickets. Single-day tickets for the Top Eliminator Club also are on sale, putting fans even closer to the action. Children 12-and-under will be admitted free in the general admission area with a paid adult.
